These 8 Dog Breeds Make the Best Hiking Companions

The great outdoors is calling, and your dog wants to join in on the fun! Hiking is excellent exercise for both you and your pup, and bringing along a furry friend is a great way to stay motivated and engaged on the trail. Plus, it’s pretty darn cute to see your sweet dog stop and sniff all the fascinating outdoor scents.

However, although all dogs benefit from exercise and outside time, some dogs are better suited than others to the demands of a hike. We consulted Brandi Munden from the American Kennel Club to help identify eight dog breeds that have the ideal combination of stamina, agility, and love for the outdoors that makes them perfect trail companions.

Before you set out on a hike, always remember safety first! Munden suggests bringing paw balm and extra water along on hikes—and don’t forget to keep your pup on a leash and update their microchip before you hit the trail.

1) Labrador Retriever

1) Labrador Retriever, 3) Weimaraner, 4) Australian Shepherd, 5) Vizsla, 6) Poodle, 7) Bernese Mountain Dog, 8) Rhodesian Ridgeback

Labs love to love and to be loved, making them the perfect pet for tagging along on a hiking trail. They’ll be kind to anyone the two of you encounter. Labs also find joy in being athletic; they “love swimming, climbing, and fetching, all great for outdoor fun,” Munden says.

3) Weimaraner

1) Labrador Retriever, 3) Weimaraner, 4) Australian Shepherd, 5) Vizsla, 6) Poodle, 7) Bernese Mountain Dog, 8) Rhodesian Ridgeback

High-energy Weimaraners love mental stimulation, so bring them out on a trail that has varied landscapes and the potential for harmless wildlife they can watch from a distance. But be ready to have a snuggle buddy on any breaks you take; though playful, these pups are also considered “Velcro dogs!”

4) Australian Shepherd

1) Labrador Retriever, 3) Weimaraner, 4) Australian Shepherd, 5) Vizsla, 6) Poodle, 7) Bernese Mountain Dog, 8) Rhodesian Ridgeback

Australian Shepherds basically need to be outside; they’re bred to be ranch dogs. “Aussies are born to move with you,” Munden says. “They are a herding dog and their stamina is next-level. They thrive on long walks and challenging hikes.” Aussies are the perfect dog to keep your family on track.

5) Vizsla

1) Labrador Retriever, 3) Weimaraner, 4) Australian Shepherd, 5) Vizsla, 6) Poodle, 7) Bernese Mountain Dog, 8) Rhodesian Ridgeback

Don’t let the gentle, loving attitude of a Vizsla fool you—they adore exercise and endurance activities. “They are very smart, alert, and good for staying close to you on long hikes,” Munden says. Vizslas also love to trot, so bring them along for a jog or bike ride, too.

6) Poodle

1) Labrador Retriever, 3) Weimaraner, 4) Australian Shepherd, 5) Vizsla, 6) Poodle, 7) Bernese Mountain Dog, 8) Rhodesian Ridgeback

You may consider a poodle to be a floofy, fancy friend, but remember that they’re also lean athletes who need mental and physical stimulation. They might stick next to you and avoid other dogs on the trail, a perk for those looking for a more meditative hike instead of regular trailside social stops.

7) Bernese Mountain Dog

1) Labrador Retriever, 3) Weimaraner, 4) Australian Shepherd, 5) Vizsla, 6) Poodle, 7) Bernese Mountain Dog, 8) Rhodesian Ridgeback

The proof of this breed’s love for the outdoors is in their name—they were originally bred for outside work on mountainous Swiss farms. Give these gentle giants time in their natural habitat. “Berners are smart and strong enough for rough terrain but mellow enough for steady pacing,” Munden says.

8) Rhodesian Ridgeback

1) Labrador Retriever, 3) Weimaraner, 4) Australian Shepherd, 5) Vizsla, 6) Poodle, 7) Bernese Mountain Dog, 8) Rhodesian Ridgeback

Fan of hiking in the summer? If so, bring a dog that can go the distance with you. Rhodesian Ridgebacks were bred to hunt lions, Munden says, so they do well on just about every terrain, thrive in the heat, and have the stamina to stick with you all day.

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